Burma Campaign UK today called for the immediate release of Brang Shawng. Brang Shawng is a 25-year-old Kachin farmer who was arrested under suspicion of being a captain of Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and carrying out bombing operations near Myitkyina. While he was in interrogation he was tortured brutally and forced to confess to bombings in the area. He was charged under the 17/1 of the Unlawful Association Act and he is still under trial at Myitkyina court in Kachin State while remaining under detention.
To draw attention to hundreds of political prisoners still in jail, Burma Campaign UK is highlighting the case of a different political prisoner every month. The political prisoner for this month is Brang Shawng.
To restore peace and reconciliation in Burma, there must be an unconditional release of all political prisoners. A joint domestic and international board must be formed with the involvement of the UN to investigate how many political activists remain in jails and detention centres.
“It is utterly disappointing that military backed government in Burma is still arresting innocent people.” said Wai Hnin, Campaigns Officer at Burma Campaign UK. “Brang Shawng case is an example of how civilians are still subject to arrest, torture and harassment in Burma.”
Burma Campaign UK supporters are being asked to write a letter to Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire MP asking him to pressure the military backed government to allow the formation of a joint domestic and international board with the involvement of the UN to investigate the numbers of political prisoners remaining in Burma’s jails and secure their releases.